WASHINGTON – A Christmas Eve phone call from President Bush was a surprise gift for 10 U.S. military members serving around the globe, including six troops stationed in Iraq.

Bush dialed up the troops – two from each military branch and the Coast Guard – around 8:30 a.m. yesterday from his retreat at Camp David, Md.

“As these members of our armed forces sacrifice to protect our freedom and liberty, the president wanted to express his gratitude for their service and sacrifice and to wish them all a merry Christmas and happy holidays,” White House spokesman Ken Lisaius told reporters.

Troops in Iraq receiving Christmas Eve phone calls from the president included a Marine, an Army soldier, two Naval personnel and two Air Force vets.

Stationed on the farthest island in Alaska’s Aleutians, Coast Guard Fireman Michael Joseph feels like he’s living at the end of the earth – but he wasn’t too far away to receive one of the greetings.

“First thing he said was, ‘Michael, Merry Christmas,’ ” said Joseph, 24, of Tucson, Ariz., one of 20 men at the Coast Guard’s Loran Station Attu. “It was great.”

The president is spending Christmas Day at Camp David. He is to fly to his Texas ranch tomorrow.